Here`s Nuts And Bolts Of 1985 Japanese Imports

February 10, 1985

Here`s a rundown of what`s new among major Japanese imports for the `85 model year:

TOYOTA--The nation`s top-selling import has totally restyled its luxury compact Cressida for `85. Toyota adopted a new wedge shape but kept the rear drive. Not only is the appearance changed, but the 2.8- liter, 6-cylinder twin cam engine got a 13 h.p. boost to 156 h.p. The Toyota electronic modulated suspension (TEMS) system is standard with 5-speed manual only. With TEMS, the driver can adjust shock absorber dampening on all wheels to get one of three suspension settings--from soft for city to extra firm for the highway.

Another electronic feature is a memory system that returns the tilt steering wheel to a pre-set tilt position once the driver gets behind the wheel. It`s standard along with a new five-minute alarm/flashing light system that automatically activates after the doors are closed and locked if entry is attemped without a key.

Toyota is fighting Fiero, not with fire, but with the MR-2. The 2- seater sports car is slightly smaller than the highly successful 2-seater from Pontiac--a 91-inch wheelbase versus 93 inches, 155-inch wheelbase versus 161. The MR-2 also is available only with a 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder engine teamed with a 5-speed manual, whereas Fiero offers 2.5-, 4- and 2.8-liter V-6 engines and a choice of 4- and 5-speed manuals and automatic. Toyota will ship about 3,000 MR-2s a month into the States whereas Pontiac is selling about 10,000 Fieros monthly.

Toyota`s best-selling line is the subcompact Corolla series that again offers front- and rear-drive versions. The emphasis for `85 is on the rear-drive, performance-oriented Corolla GT-S powered by a fuel-injected, 16- valve engine. The FWD Corolla series adds an LE Limited 4-door sedan, LE 5- door Liftback luxury models and, for the first time, a 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission with lock-up torque converter.

Maxima now offers the same 3-liter, fuel-injected, V-6 engine as the 300ZX, but with a few less horses. Maxima is offered in 4-door sedan and wagon body styles in GL or SE trim. A 5-speed is standard on the SE, 4-speed overdrive automatic on the GL. The SE has driver-adjustable shocks with firm, normal or soft damping rates controlled by a console switch.

Nissan caught the consumer`s imagination in `81 when Maxima was known as the car that talked. The car--actually a voice synthesizer--warned occupants back in `81 to ``please turn out the lights.``

For `85, the electronic gadgetry has advanced. Maxima has a ``set and forget`` automatic radio volume control that adjusts to raise or lower volume, especially when the window is rolled up or down. You will notice the feature most when, for example, you`re idling under a viaduct and a train passes overhead. The volume immediately increases. The same volume adjustment will be noticed during a jaunt near O`Hare Airport as a jet passes overhead.

The emphasis on other Nissan models is on appearance. The sporty 300 ZX adds new lockable T-top roof panels as standard; Stanza, a new front-end appearance; the two-seater Pulsar NX gets new taillamps, and the subcompact Sentra replaces whitewalls with blackwalls and adds a sporty SE option package. In April, Nissan will begin building Sentras at its Smyrna, Tenn., plant, now the site for truck manufacturing.

Nissan has two vehicles sold in Japan that dealers here want to get their hands on. One is the Prairie van that differs from other mini-vans because it features sliding doors on both sides. The other car is the Micra, a tiny, 3-cylinder, high-mileage model sold in Canada.